Hot-desking station and system

ABSTRACT

A hot-desking system includes a hot-desking station, including a hot-desking station device, and a hot-desk panel configured to display information regarding status of the hot-desking station and a 2D code associated with the hot-desking station. A docking station associated with the at least one hot-desking station includes input and output ports connected to the hot-desking station device. A hot-desking portal controls operation of and configuration of the hot-desking station, the docking station, and the hot-desk panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 63/174,379, filed Apr. 13, 2021, andU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/182,466, filed Apr. 30, 2021,the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

The present embodiments relate to hot-desking, and more particularly, toa system for configuring, reserving, checking into, and maintaining ahot-desking station.

Background Art

the corporate environment, there has been a growing trend to move toagile workspaces, open floor plans, and hot-desking, also known ashoteling. These trends existed before the Covid-19 pandemic, but withthe recent closure of many offices due to the pandemic, working fromhome became a standard practice that has continued, at least in part,even with the gradual reopening of many workplaces. Rather than returnfulltime to the workplace, many employees now work in their offices foronly part of the week or intermittently, reducing or eliminating theneed for dedicated office space for each employee.

Corporations that, in 2019, were already cutting desk commitments by10-20% to reduce real estate costs and to offset employee vacations andother absences have continued to pursue this trend. Building architectsand interior designers are pushing open floor plan concepts in whichnon-traditional workspaces are intermingled with traditional seateddesks, standing work areas, and bar height collaboration tables. As aresult, traditional clustered departments offices have been turned into“neighborhoods” of flexible unassigned seating.

Space booking addresses many of the issues inherent in, for example,first-come first-serve desk availability by assuring the availability ofdesks or desk “neighborhoods”. With space booking the user has to log inremotely from home and select their workspace for a given day or rangeof days with availability of the workspace assured. The employee thenchecks in at the office to activate the workspace. Alternatively, theemployee logs in using theft personal mobile, device, such as theftcellphone, and then checks in at the office. Both of these options,typically require at least entry of a login and password to book theworkspace and then configure the workspace.

It is therefore desirable to provide a system that provides a moreconvenient hot-desking reservation process.

It is further desirable to provide a system that affords a moreconvenient and straightforward check in process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that both the general and detailed descriptionsthat follow are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect, a hot-desking system comprises (a) atleast one hot-desking station, including (1) at least one hot-deskingstation device, and (2) a hot-desk panel configured to displayinformation regarding status of the hot-desking station and to display atwo-dimensional barcode (2D code) associated with the hot-deskingstation; (b) at least one docking station associated with the at leastone hot-desking station, including (1) a plurality of input and outputports, at least one of the plurality of input and output ports beingconnected to the at least one hot-desking station device; and (c) ahot-desking portal configured to control operation of and configurationof the at least one hot-desking station, the at least one dockingstation, and the at least one hot-desk panel of the at least onehot-desking station, the hot-desking portal being further configured to(1) receive, from a user device over at least one communication network,a request to reserve the at least one hot-desking station for apredetermined period, and identification information associated with theuser, (2) communicate, over the at least one communication network, witha user database to verify the identification information associated withthe user, (3) reserve the at least one hot-desking station for the userfor the predetermined period in response to the identificationinformation associated with the user being verified, (4) transmit, tothe user device over the at least one communication network, anindication that the identification information associated with the userwas verified and information describing a location and features of thereserved least one hot-desking station, (5) receive, from the userdevice over the at least one communication network, scanned data read bythe user device from the 2D code displayed by the hot-desk panel, and(6) in response to receiving the scanned data, check in the user intothe at least one hot-desking station, and activate and configure the atleast one docking station.

According to a further aspect, a method of reserving and checking into ahot-desking station comprises (a) receiving, at a hot-desking portalconfigured to control operation of and configuration of (i) at least onehot-desking station, (ii) at least one docking station associated withthe at least one hot-desking station, and (iii) at least one hot-deskingstation device associated with the at least one hot-desking station, arequest from a user device over at least one communication network toreserve the hot-desking station for a predetermined period, the requestincluding identification information associated with the user; (b)communicating, by the hot-desking portal over the at least onecommunication network, with a user database to verify the identificationinformation associated with the user, (c) reserving, at the hot-deskingportal, the hot-desking station for the user for the predeterminedperiod in response to the identification information associated with theuser being verified; (d) transmitting, from the hot-desking portal tothe user device over the at least one communication network, (1) anindication that the identification information associated with the userwas verified, and (2) information describing a location and features ofthe reserved hot-desking station; (e) receiving, by the hot-deskingportal over the at least one communication network, scanned datatransmitted by the user device, the scanned data being read by the userdevice from a two-dimensional barcode (2D code) displayed at a hot-deskpanel associated with the at least one hot-desking station; and (f) inresponse to receiving the scanned data, the hot-desking portal checkingin the user to the hot-desking station and activating and configuringthe at least one docking station associated with the at least onehot-desking station based on information associated with the reservationrequest.

According to another aspect, a hot-desking system comprises (a) aplurality of hot-desking stations, each including (1) at least onehot-desking station device, and (2) a hot-desk panel configured todisplay information regarding status of that hot-desking station, and todisplay a two-dimensional barcode (2D code) associated with thathot-desking station, the information regarding status of the hot-deskingstation including information on times when the hot-desking station isavailable for booking, the 2D code including at least one of a QR codeor a matrix barcode; (b) a plurality of docking stations respectivelyassociated with the plurality of hot-desking stations, each including(1) a plurality of input and output ports, at least one of the pluralityof input and output ports being connected to the at least onehot-desking station device of its associated hot-desking station, theplurality of input and output ports including at least one of data portsor power ports; (c) a hot-desking portal configured to control operationof and configuration of the plurality of hot-desking stations, theplurality of docking stations, and the hot-desk panel of each of theplurality of hot-desking stations, the hot-desking portal being furtherconfigured to (1) receive, from a user device over at least onecommunication network, a request to reserve one of the plurality ofhot-desking stations for a predetermined period, and identificationinformation associated with the user, (2) communicate, over the at leastone communication network, with a user database to verify theidentification information associated with the user, (3) reserve a givenone of the plurality of hot-desking stations for the user for thepredetermined period in response to the identification informationassociated with the user being verified, (4) transmit, to the userdevice over the at least one communication network, an indication thatthe identification information associated with the user was verified andinformation describing a location and features of the reservedhot-desking station, (5) receive, from the user device over the at leastone communication network, scanned data read by the user device from the2D code displayed by the hot-desk panel of the reserved hot-deskingstation, the 2D code being generated by the hot-desking portal inresponse to that hot-desking station being reserved, and (6) in responseto receiving the scanned data, check in the user to the one of theplurality of hot-desking stations and turn on and configure the at leastone device of the reserved hot-desking station; and (d) an admin portalconfigured to access the database and to enable addition, deletion, ormodification of data associated with the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures further illustrate the present embodiments.

The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale,emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principlesof the present embodiments. In the drawings, like reference numeralsdesignate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a hot-desking system according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of the hot-desking station ofFIG. 1 according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are front views of an example of the hot-desk panel of

FIGS. 1 and 2 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of another example of the hot-desk panelof

FIGS. 1 and 2 according to another embodiment; FIG. 4B is a top view ofthe hot-desk panel of FIG. 4A; and FIG. 4C is a front view of thehot-desk panel of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a further example of the hot-desk panel of FIGS.1 and 2 according to a further embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a still further example of the hot-deskpanel of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to a still further embodiment.

FIG. 7A is a front view of the hot-desk panel of FIG. 6; and FIG. 7B isa side view of the hot-desk panel of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of yet another example of the hot-deskpanel of FIGS. 1 and 2 integrated with a telephone according to anembodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a sequence of messages for setting up a hot-desk user inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows a sequence of messages for logging in a hot-desk userusing a user device app in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows a sequence of messages for reserving a hot-desk using auser device app in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows a sequence of messages for user check in to a hot-desk orworkspace using a user device app in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 13 shows a sequence of messages for user check out from a hot-deskor workspace using a user device app in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 14 shows a sequence of messages for logging in a user using thehot-desk panel in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 15 shows a sequence of messages for reserving a hot-desk orworkspace using the hot-desk panel in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 16 shows a sequence of messages for user check in to a hot-desk orworkspace using the hot-desk panel in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 17 shows a sequence of messages for user check out from a hot-deskor workspace using the hot-desk panel in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 18 shows a sequence of messages for logging in a hot-desk userusing a user's desk phone with a touchscreen in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 19 shows a sequence of messages for reserving a hot-desk orworkspace using a user's desk phone with touchscreen in accordance withan embodiment.

FIG. 20 shows a sequence of messages for user check in to a hot-desk orworkspace using a user's desk phone with touchscreen in accordance withan embodiment.

FIG. 21 shows a sequence of messages for user check out from a hot-deskor workspace using a user's desk phone with touchscreen in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIG. 22 shows a sequence of messages for logging in a hot-desk orworkspace user directly to a hot-desking portal in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 23 shows a sequence of messages for reserving a hot-desk orworkspace directly to a hot-desking portal in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 24 shows a sequence of messages for user check in to a hot-desk orworkspace directly to a hot-desking portal in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 25 shows a sequence of messages for user check out from a hot-deskor workspace directly to a hot-desking portal in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 26 shows a sequence of messages for ending hot-desk or workspaceuse at the end of a reservation time in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 27 shows a sequence of messages for assigning a smart locker to auser in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 28 shows a sequence of messages for logging in to a smart lockerportal in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 29 shows a sequence of messages for opening a smart locker inaccordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present embodiments provide a hot-desking system, and morespecifically to systems, methods, and modes for providing personalizedhot-desking, but is not limited thereto. The embodiments of thehot-desking system may be used in small, mid, or large-scale commercialspaces. While the embodiments are described herein as being implementedfor commercial facilities, they are not limited to such animplementation. Products for other markets may be built upon the sameframework with minimal modification. The present embodiments may beemployed in other type of venues or facilities, including inresidential, commercial spaces, retail, or nonprofit structures orvenues. The system is further designed to be quickly deployable,allowing temporary installations for short-term to be feasible.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words ‘comprise’, ‘comprising’, and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to”.

LIST OF REFVERENCE NUMBERS FOR THE MAJOR ELEMENTS IN THE DRAWING

The following is a list of the major elements in the drawings innumerical order.

100 Hot-Desking System

102 Hot-Desking Station

104 Docking Station

106 Network(s)

108 Hot-Desking Portal

110 Admin Portal

112 User Data Base

120 User Device

122 Hot-Desk Panel

124 Hot-Desking Station Telephone

126 Hot-Desking Station Laptop

224 Hot-Desk Panel Display

226 Hot-Desk Panel Status Indicator Light

230 Two-Dimensional Barcode (2D Code)

400 Hot-Desk Panel

402 Wireless Charger

403 Display Screen

404 Status Indicator Light Bar

405 Charging Area

406 Power Charging Port

407 Power Input Port

500 Hot-Desk Panel

503 Display Screen

504 Status Indicator Light Bar

505 Charging Area

600 Hot-Desk Panel

602 Wireless Power Charger

603 Display Screen

604 Status Indicator Light Bar

605 Charging Area

607 Power Input Port

608 Adjustable Stand

610 Station Body

611 Seat

800 Hot-desk panel Integrated Within Telephone

803 Display Screen/Touchscreen

804 Status Indicator Light Bar

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The various aspects of the embodiments described herein pertain to thecontext of a hot-desking system, and more specifically to systems,methods, and modes for providing hot-desking to users, but is notlimited thereto. The embodiments of the hot-desking system may be usedin small, mid, or large-scale commercial spaces. While the embodimentsare described herein as being implemented for commercial facilities,they are not limited to such an implementation. Products for othermarkets may be built upon the same framework with minimal modification.The present embodiments may be employed in other type of venues orfacilities, including in residential, commercial spaces, retail, ornonprofit structures or venues. The system is further designed to bequickly deployable, allowing temporary installations for short-term tobe feasible.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a hot-desking system 100 for implementing apersonalized workspace environment is shown according to an embodiment.It should be noted that the exemplary embodiment of hot-desking system100 may be varied in one or more aspects without departing from thespirit and scope of the teachings disclosed herein.

The hot-desking system 100 may include one or more hot-desking stations102 and docking stations 104, a hot-desking portal 108, an admin portal110, and a user data base 112, some or all of which may beinterconnected over one or more networks 106. A user's personal phone120, or other portable or personal communication device, may also beconnected to the one or more communication networks 106.

The one or more communication networks 106 may incorporate one or moreof the Internet, a file transfer protocol (FTP) network, a wide areanetwork (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a personal area network(PAN), a wireless network, a campus area network (CAN), a metropolitanarea network (MAN), or the like. The one or more communication networks108 may include a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a cabletelephony network, an Internet Protocol (IP) telephony network, awireless network, a hybrid Cable/PSTN network, a hybrid IP/PSTN network,a hybrid wireless/PSTN network, or any other suitable communicationnetwork or combination of communication networks. In addition, othernetwork embodiments may be deployed with variations in the number andtype of devices, communication networks, communication protocols, systemtopologies, and myriad other details without departing from the spiritand scope of the present embodiments. The one or more communicationnetworks 106 may include one or more gateway devices to interface withthe one or more communication networks 106, which may include softwareand/or hardware components to manage traffic entering and exiting theone or more communication networks 106 and conversion between thecommunication protocols used by various communication devices.

The hot-desking portal 108 may be hosted via cloud computing as is knownin the art. As an example, the hot-desking portal 108 may be hosted on apublic cloud platform such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services,Google Cloud Platform, IBM Cloud, and the like. Such cloud computingplatforms typically provide subscribers with various computing elementsand functions, such as servers, disk storage, databases and networking,without the need to own and manage the hardware required to carry outsuch functions.

Alternatively, the hot-desking portal 108 may be a dedicated, privateserver, employing standard security protocols or may be distributedacross multiple computing systems and architectures. Multiple, redundantservers may be provided for additional backup and security. For example,the hot-desking portal 108 may include separate web, app, or emailservers. The hot-desking portal 108 may include one or more networkinterfaces to provide connectivity with, inter alia, user communicationdevice 120, telephone 124, and/or personal device 126. The hot-deskingportal 108 provides connectivity with, for example, a building controlsystem and/or a calendar server. The hot-desking portal 108 may includeone or more processing units configured for providing processingcapability to execute an operating system, run various applications,and/or provide processing for one or more of the processes describedherein. The hot-desking portal 108 may further include any one ofnumerous forms of memory or databases for storing data. The database maybe co-located with the hot-desking portal 108 or may be located remotelyin various different systems and locations.

The hot-desking portal 108 may include a plurality of software enginesfor providing the workspace management services discussed herein.Software engines may include a data structuring engine configured forstructuring received data in order to establish various relationships,including, but not limited to, data regarding the hot-desking station orworkspace 102, data regarding users of communication devices 120, andreservation information. Such data regarding the hot-desking stations orworkspace 102 may include location data, workspace equipment present,and data on the electronic devices located at the hot-desking station orworkspace 102, or the like. The software engines may also comprise adata retrieval engine for interfacing with other sources of data. Thesoftware engines also comprise the analytics engine configured foranalyzing data and a frontend engine configured for providing a visualdisplay through which the end user interacts with the system. Forexample, the frontend engine may be configured to provide a web-baseduser interface on the user communication device 120, the hot-desk panel124, and/or the telephone 800, through which the user interacts with thehot-desking portal 108. Particularly, the frontend engine may include aclient-server software application which runs in a web-browser of aclient computer, such as one or more user communication devices 120. Tothat end, the frontend engine may include a web application programminginterface (API) which is exposed via the web. In another embodiment, thehot-desking portal 108 may include a proprietary native mobile app incommunication with a building management server.

The hot-desking management system 100 may also integrate with a buildingcontrol system. The building control system may include a plurality ofelectronic devices adapted to change environmental settings within abuilding in which the hot-desking station or workspace 102 is located.Such devices may include lighting devices (including, but not limitedto, lamps, ballasts, light emitting diode (LED) drivers), shadingdevices (including, but not limited to, motorized window treatments,dimmable windows), heating and air conditioning (HVAC) devices(including, but not limited to, thermostats, air conditioning units,heating units, filtration systems, fans, humidifiers), sensors(including, but not limited to, occupancy sensors, proximity sensors,sound sensors, microphones, temperature sensors), audiovisual (AV)devices (including, but not limited to, content sources, content sinks,video recorders, cameras, VCR, DVD/DVR, CD player, audio receivers,audio system devices, speakers, telephones, video phones,videoconference codecs (VTC), projectors, projector screens, touchpanels, cable television box, television such as plasma, liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED) flat panel, and cathode raytube television), security devices (including, but not limited to,security cameras, monitors and door locks), appliances (including, butnot limited to, refrigerators, ovens, blenders, microwaves), controldevices (including, but not limited to, switches, relays, currentlimiting devices), industrial devices (including, but not limited to,motors, pumps, chillers, and air compressors). Other types of electronicdevices are contemplated depending on building implementation. Thesevarious environmental devices may be managed by one or more controlsystem processors.

The hot-desking management system 100 may also integrate with a buildingmanagement system. As an example, after a user has finished using ahot-desking station and has checked out from the hot-desking station orworkspace 102, the hot-desking portal 108 or another element of thehot-desking management system 100 may notify the building managementsystem to request cleaning of the hot-desking station or workspace 102.The hot-desking portal 108 may designate the hot-desking station orworkspace 102 as being unavailable for future reservations until thehot-desking portal 108 receives notification from the buildingmanagement system that the hot-desking station or workspace 102 has beencleaned.

The hot-desking management system 100 may also integrate with an onlinetravel reservation system or travel management system, such as SAPConcur. The hot-desking portal 108, or another element of thehot-desking management system 100, may communicate with the travelreservation system or travel management system to obtain the travelinformation associated with a user. The hot-desking portal 108, oranother element of the hot-desking management system 100, may then,based on the travel information, send notifications to the personalcommunication device of a user checked in to a hot-desking station orworkspace to remind the user of departure times or other travel-relatedinformation. Alternatively, the hot-desking portal 108, or anotherelement of the hot-desking management system 100, may send suchnotifications to the display of the hot-desk panel or to the display ofa telephone at the hot-desking station. Additionally, the hot-deskingportal 108 or another element of the hot-desking management system 100may, based on the travel information, reserve a hot-desking station orworkspace at the user's travel destination. Such operations may becarried out using a bot, such as a Microsoft® Teams bot, operating inconjunction with the hot-desking management system 100. Other schedulingoperations of the hot-desking management system 100 may also be executedusing a Microsoft® Teams or other bot.

The admin portal 110 may be hosted via cloud computing as is known inthe art. As an example, the admin portal 110 may be hosted on a publiccloud platform such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, GoogleCloud Platform, IBM Cloud, and the like. Such cloud computing platformstypically provide subscribers with various computing elements andfunctions, such as servers, disk storage, databases and networking,without the need to own and manage the hardware required to carry outsuch functions.

Additionally, the management services provided by the admin portal 110may be carried out using a provisioning and management service such asCrestron® XiOCloud®, or the like, that allows Crestron® devices andother supported devices across an enterprise to be managed andconfigured from a central, secure location in the cloud.

Alternatively, the admin portal 110 may be a dedicated, private server,employing standard security protocols or may be distributed acrossmultiple computing systems and architectures. Multiple, redundantservers may be provided for additional backup and security. For example,the admin portal 110 may include separate web, app, or email servers.The admin portal 110 may include one or more network interfaces thatprovide connectivity. The admin portal 110 may include one or moreprocessing units configured for providing processing capability toexecute an operating system, run various applications, and/or provideprocessing for one or more of the techniques described herein. The adminportal 110 may further include any one of numerous forms of memory ordatabases for storing data. The database may be co-located with theadmin portal 110 or may be located remotely in various different systemsand locations.

The admin portal 110 may include a plurality of software engines forproviding the workspace management services discussed herein. Softwareengines may include a data structuring engine configured for structuringreceived data in order to establish various relationships, including,but not limited to, data regarding the hot-desking station or workspace102, data regarding users of communication devices 120, and reservationinformation. Such data regarding the hot-desking stations or workspace102 may include location data, workspace equipment present, and data onthe electronic devices located at the hot-desking station or workspace102, or the like. The software engines may also comprise a dataretrieval engine for interfacing with other sources of data. Thesoftware engines may also comprise an analytics engine configured toanalyze data, and a frontend engine configured to provide a visualdisplay through which the end user interacts with the system. Forexample, the frontend engine may be configured for providing a web-baseduser interface through which the user interacts with the admin portal110 using the personal communication device 120, personal computer, orother devices. Particularly, the frontend engine may include aclient-server software application which runs in a web-browser of aclient computer. To that end, the frontend engine may include a webapplication programming interface (API) which is exposed via the web. Inanother embodiment, the admin portal 110 may include a proprietarynative mobile app in communication with a building management server.

The user data base 112 may be hosted on a cloud computing or data centeremploying standard security protocols as are known in the art.Alternatively, the functions of the user data base 112 may reside in adedicated, private server or may be distributed across multiplecomputing systems and architectures.

The user data base 112 may be associated with one or more employers,professional organizations, or business organizations, and storesinformation associated with its employees or members. The user data base112 may further store information and software needed to personalize ahot-desking station for that employee or member. Such information andsoftware may include the employee's or member's telephone or extensionnumber, and information and software needed to configure the employee'sor member's personal devices and connect them to services or filesprovided by the employer, professional organization, or businessorganization, including data protocols, client-server software,application programming interface (API) software, and graphical userinterface (GUI) software and data.

The user communication device 120 may include a smartphone or a tabletand may include wireless charging capabilities adapted to receive powerwirelessly from a wireless power charger, as is known in the art. Forsuch implementation, the user communication device 120 may include awireless power receiver capable of receiving power via inductioncharging by, for example, the implementation of the Qi wireless chargingstandard. Alternatively, the user communication device 120 may includeone of other portable electronic devices known in the art thatconventionally receive power via a wire, such as a smartphone or atablet without a wireless power receiver, a portable computer such as alaptop, or another computer configured to communicate with a removeserver, such as the hot-desking server 108 or the admin server 110, viathe one or more communication networks 106 using a web-browser or othersimilar application. The user communication device 120 may include acentral processing unit (CPU), a user interface (e.g., display,keyboard, mouse, or the like), one of various forms of storage (e.g.,solid-state memory (random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM),and the like), magnetic memory, such as disc drives, tape storage, andthe like, and/or optical memory, such as DVD), and a network interface,as is known in the art.

The user communication device 120 may be further adapted to communicatewith the hot-desking server 108 or the admin server 110 via one or morecommunication networks 106. According to an embodiment, the hot-deskingserver 108 or the admin server 110 may be accessible to the usercommunication device 120 via a unique Uniform Resource Locator (URL) andhost name. User communication device 120 may access the servicesprovided by the workspace management server 110 using a web-browser,such as Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Google Chrome,Opera, Safari, or the like. According to another embodiment, the usercommunication device 120 may include a proprietary native mobile app, orany other similar software application, configured to communicate withthe hot-desking server 108 or the admin server 110 via the one or morecommunication networks 106.

As FIG. 2 shows, the hot-desking station 102 may include at least onehot-desk panel and one or more of a hot-desking station telephone 124and a hot-desking station laptop or personal computer (PC) 126, each ofwhich is connected to the docking station 104. The laptop or personalcomputer (PC) 126 may be provided with the hot-desking station 102 ormay be the user's personal device.

The hot-desking station 102 may be one or more of various workspaceconfigurations also known in the art as hot-desking spaces, otherdedicated workspaces within an open space concept, cubicles, co-workingspaces, semi-private offices, private offices, or the like.

FIGS. 3A-3B show an example of the hot-desk panel 122 according to anembodiment. The hot-desk panel 122 may be a free-standing productadapted to be placed on a surface area such as a desk. Alternatively,the panel may be permanently affixed to, or removably attached to, adesk, such as using a desk mounting bracket or by being recessed into acavity formed in the desk.

The hot-desk panel 122 may further comprise a display screen 224 adaptedto display data to the user. The display screen 224 may include an LCDscreen, an LED screen, or other type of screen known in the art. Thedisplay screen 224 may further comprise a touch screen capable ofreceiving user input, such as by displaying soft keys or soft buttons.Alternatively, or in combination with, adjacent hardware keys may bepresent to be utilized to receive user input.

As FIG. 3A shows, the display screen 224 may display a graphical userinterface that includes a two-dimensional barcode (2D code) 230 such asa matrix barcode or QR code. A user may reserve the hot-desking station102 associated with the hot-desk panel 122, such as by opening and usinga user device app on the user communication device 120, by directlyusing the graphical user interface on the display screen 224 or the hardkeys, or by directly accessing the hot-desking portal 108, such as usinga browser. The user may then check into hot-desking station 120 usingthe user communication device 120 to scan the 2D code 230, by directlyentering reservation data into the graphical user interface on thedisplay screen 224 of the hard keys, or by directly accessing thehot-desking portal 108 to identify the user and to initiate the check-inprocess. According to an embodiment, the 2D code 230 may be dynamicallygenerated by the hot-desking portal 108 and sent to hot-desk panel 122for display. Unique 2D codes may be generated for each particularstation 102. Also, for various other applications not linked tohot-desking, other 2D codes may be generated and displayed on thedisplay screen 224, as described herein.

The display screen 224 may further display a status of the hot-deskingstation 102 indicating whether the station 102 is free for use and thelength of time it is available. Also, as FIG. 3B shows, otherinformation may also be displayed, such as the date and time of day aswell as, for example, weather information, battery life of a connecteduser communication device 120 or the like. The display screen 224 maydisplay a schedule for the hot-desking station 102, which for examplemay be accessed by a user on the user interface in FIG. 3A. According toanother embodiment, the 2D code 230 and a schedule may be presented onthe same screen. According to another embodiment, the schedule may onlybe accessible after the user checks into the station 102. The schedulemay contain the reservation schedule of station 102 throughout the day.The schedule may be stored, for example, on the hot-desking portal 108in association with an identification parameter of the station 102 andtransmitted to the station 102 for display on the display screen 224. Anidentification parameter for the station 102 may include a uniqueidentification number assigned to a given station 102, or may be anetwork address, such as an IP address or a MAC address, or the like.Reservation information may also be displayed for each reserved timeperiod. For example, a user may click on a reserved time period on thescreen to review the reservation information, such as the start time,end time, identification information of the user who made thereservation, and the like, though according to another embodiment, theidentity of the users making the reservations may remain anonymous.

In a situation where the hot-desking station or workspace 102 isunreserved, the hot-desking portal 108 may generate a 2D code 230 nottied to a reservation and send it to the hot-desk panel 122 for display.According to an embodiment, the 2D code 230 may continue to be displayedby the hot-desk panel 122 until the hot-desking station or workspace 102is booked, or until the start of the next time when the hot-deskingstation or workspace 102 is available to be reserved.

During the period that the hot-desking station or workspace 102 isavailable for booking, a user wishing to reserve the hot-desking stationor workspace 102 may scan the 2D code 230 using a camera, such as with ascanner app, of the user communication device 120 to reserve hot-deskingstation or workspace 102 using the hot-desk panel 122 (via thehot-desking portal 108). According to an embodiment, the usercommunication device 120 may include the native capability ofrecognizing the 2D code 230. The 2D code 230 may be encoded with a URLof a website which upon scanning may direct a browser or app on the usercommunication device 120 to the website. The website may contain a formwhere the user may enter information, such as an identification number(e.g., an employee ID) associated with the user, a user's first name, auser's last name, or the like. That information may be transmitted fromthe user communication device 120 to the hot-desking portal 108. Theuser may then use a schedule displayed on the display screen 224 of thehot-desk panel 122 to select a period during which the hot-desk panel122 is free. The user reserves the hot-desking station or workspace 102associated with hot-desk panel 122, for example, by selecting a freetime period and/or by indicating the start time and end time of thereservation period. The selected reservation information is thentransmitted from the hot-desk panel 122 to the hot-desking portal 108,which may associate the reservation information with the particularhot-desk panel 122 and the user information received from the website.The hot-desking portal 108 may then change the status shown by thehot-desk panel 122 to being booked. The hot-desk panel 122 may alsodisplay the booked reservation in its schedule and change the color ofits status light indicator 226 from free (e.g., green) to booked (e.g.,red).

According to an embodiment, in a workplace environment, the website formimplementation may be used by guest users or employees utilizing thepersonal user communication devices 120. According to anotherembodiment, the website may allow for authentication of employee users,such as by entering an employee login information (e.g., username oremail and password) or via a two-step authentication processes. Thehot-desking portal 108 may in turn authenticate and identify the user asan employee. According to an embodiment, the hot-desking portal 108 maystore information about a plurality of employee users, including theirname, email address, title, department, or the like, as well asinformation concerning permissions and preferences associated with theuser of hot-desk panel 122, as is further discussed below. Thehot-desking portal 108 may send employee information to the hot-deskpanel 122 for display. For example, the user's name and photograph maybe displayed on the display 224 of the hot-desk panel 122 during theperiod that the hot-desk panel 122 is reserved by the user (e.g., inlieu of a permanent employee plaque). According to another embodiment,the hot-desking station or workspace 102 may contain another display incommunication with the hot-desk panel 122 and/or the hot-desking portal108 adapted to display user employee information to other employees. Forexample, such a display may be located outside of an office or a cubicledivider.

According to another embodiment, the user communication device 120 maystore a proprietary reservation application, or app, adapted to interactwith the hot-desking portal 108 to enable reservation of the hot-deskingstation 102. According to an embodiment, the reservation app may be astandalone app or may be an application framework running inside ofanother application, such as within a business communication platform(e.g., the Microsoft® Teams business communication platform) or thelike. A user employee may download the reservation application and loginvia the reservation application using the employee's login credentials.To make a reservation of the hot-desking station or workspace 102associated with the hot-desk panel 122, the user may use a tool withinthe application to scan the 2D code 230. The 2D code 230 may, forexample, contain a unique identification number that is associated withthe identification information of the hot-desk panel 122 by thehot-desking portal 108. The reservation application may communicate withthe hot-desking portal 108 to transmit the data extracted from the 2Dcode 230 along with the user identification information. The user maythen proceed with reserving the hot-desking station 102 as discussedabove.

According to another embodiment, the hot-desking station or workspace102 may be limited to use by a particular group of employees, such as aparticular department within a company. A dynamic 2D code 230 generatedby the hot-desking portal 108 may be associated with that department andparticularly with the user employees of that department such that onlythe associated department employees are able to utilize the displayed 2Dcode 230 to make workspace reservation via hot-desk panel 122. All otheremployees and guests may be restricted from reserving the workspace. Forexample, an error message may be displayed via the user communicationdevice 120 and/or hot-desk panel 122. According to another embodiment, aparticular hot-desk panel 122 may be limited to use by an individualemployee or particular employees during specific assigned periods. Forexample, a dynamic 2D code 230 may be generated that is associated onlywith the particular employee or employees that may use the hot-deskpanel 122. As an example, a particular dynamic 2D code 230 may begenerated for an employee A for display on a particular hot-desk panel122 of a particular hot-desking station or workspace 102 on Mondays andTuesdays, and another 2D code 230 may be generated for an employee B fordisplay on the particular hot-desk panel 122 of the particularhot-desking station or workspace 102 on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

According to an embodiment, in a workplace implementation, an employeeuser may reserve a hot-desking station 102 ahead of time. For example,the user may use a calendar software installed on a user communicationdevice 120, or on a desktop computer, to create a reservation, forexample using Microsoft® Outlook calendar software. Each hot-deskingstation or workspace 102 may be displayed to the user as a selectableworkspace object, which may be listed in a list of workspaces ordisplayed on a floor-map. Workspace objects may be identified by names,such as, “hot-desking station or workspace 102 at 7 Volvo, secondfloor”. Each such object may be associated with a hot-desking station orworkspace 102 by the hot-desking portal 108. Using calendar software,the user may enter reservation information by selecting an availableworkspace object as well as a start time and an end time for thereservation. The reservation information, including the user'sidentifying information, may be transmitted to the hot-desking portal108 and displayed on the display screen 224 of the reserved hot-deskpanel 122.

According to an embodiment, at the time when the hot-desking station orworkspace 102 is reserved, the hot-desking portal 108 may generate aunique reservation 2D code 230 associated with the reservation. Duringthe period when the hot-desking station or workspace 102 is reserved,the reservation 2D code 230 may be displayed via the display screen 224.The reservation information may also be displayed on display screen 224and the light indicator 226 may light up to indicate that thehot-desking station or workspace 102 is reserved, such as by displayingthe color red. The employee user arriving at hot-desking station orworkspace 102 may then scan the reservation 2D code 230 and beauthenticated to check-in in the manner discussed herein. According toan embodiment, a user that has not made a reservation that attempts tocheck-in during the reserved period, such as by scanning the 2D code230, may be shown a message on the display screen 224 and/or on the usercommunication device 120 indicating that the hot-desking station orworkspace 102 is reserved by another user and that the check in wasunsuccessful. Since the dynamic 2D code 230 may be specific to thereservation, only the user who made the reservation may be able to usethe 2D code 230 to check-in at the hot-desk panel 122.

According to another embodiment, when making the reservation, thehot-desking portal 108 may also issue specific reservation credentials,such as a reservation PIN. Upon via the user communication device 120scanning the 2D code 230 (for example without using a proprietaryreservation application), the user may be presented with a form, via awebsite, asking the user to enter the reservation credential to verifythe user and to check-in the user.

According to another embodiment, instead of using a 2D code 230, a usermay check-in and be identified at the hot-desk panel 122 using othertechnologies known in the art, such via Bluetooth, NFC, RFID, or thelike. According to another embodiment, the wireless power receiver ofthe user communication device 120 may transmit data to a wireless powertransmitter of the hot-desk panel 122 via analog pulses, digital pulses,optical data transmission, electromagnetic induction, or the like. Ineither of the above discussed implementations, the user communicationdevice 120 may transmit data to the hot-desk panel 122, for examplecontaining user identification information, reservation information, orsimilar data to the hot-desk panel 122 to enable user identification forworkspace booking or check-in.

The hot-desk panel 122 of the present embodiments may further be used ina remote and/or from home environment. It may be used by employee usersto check-in and check-out to work from home. The time that the userchecks-in and checks-out may be transmitted from the hot-desk panel 122to the hot-desking portal 108 and used for employee time-stamp purposes.To communicate with the hot-desking portal 108, the hot-desk panel 122may connect to the Internet via the user's local area network, such asvia Ethernet or Wi-Fi. The user may be designated as “checked-in” onlywhen hot-desk panel 122 detects that a user communication device 120 ispresent in a wireless charging area via a wireless power transmitter ofthe hot-desk panel 122 or when a user communication device 120 isconnected to the wired power port 206. In addition, the 2D code 230 ofthe hot-desk panel 122 located on user employee's desk may dynamicallyand periodically change (e.g., daily) requiring the employee to dailyscan the 2D code 230 to check-in for a workday.

The present embodiments may also enable monitoring of the number ofusers and the identity of the users present in a building, floor, or anopen floor workspace at any particular time of the day, allowing allowsmanagement to know where its employees are located in an agile workspaceenvironment. This enables, for example, identification of employeelocation within buildings during emergency situations for evacuationpurposes.

Because the hot-desk panel 122 is integrated with the hot-desking portal108 and may be further integrated with a building control system, and/orother systems known in the art, checking-in or reserving the hot-deskingstation or workspace 102 via hot-desk panel 122 may trigger one or moreevents. Such events may be trigged for all users checked-in at ahot-desking station or workspace 102 regardless of the user identity, orthe events may vary depending on the identity of the checked-in userbased on user permissions or preferences. User may be assignedpermissions stored by the hot-desking portal 108 in association withuser identification. Such permissions may vary based on the userdepartment, title, or the like. The user may set user preferences, forexample using the reservation application discussed above, or anotherapplication. The hot-desking station or workspace 102 may be equippedwith one or more electronic devices that may activate upon properauthentication of the user. The hot-desking portal 108 may furthermaintain workspace information associated with each hot-desking stationor workspace 102, including, but not limited to, the location of thehot-desking station or workspace 102 within a building, the department(or team) to which the hot-desking station or workspace 102 belongs (ifany), access levels to the hot-desking station or workspace 102, andavailable resources such as the equipment present at each hot-deskingstation or workspace 102, identification of controllable environmentalconditions at the hot-desking station or workspace 102, or the like.

According to an embodiment, a triggered event may include the unlockingof and switching on power provided to one or more power supplies, suchas receptacles, located at the hot-desking station or workspace 102 andwhich may be controlled by the hot-desking portal 108. The dockingstation 104 may be equipped with a switchable power distribution unit(PDU) that is controlled the hot-desking portal 108. The switchable PDUmay control one or more power receptacles.

According to another embodiment, the hot-desking station or workspace102 may contain a desk equipped with a cable management system, such asa FlipTop cable management system available from Crestron Electronics,Inc., recessed into the desk and containing power and networkconnections. The cable management system may be connected to the dockingstation 104 or other switchable PDU for power control. Another actionmay unlock network access, either wired or wireless. The hot-desk panel122 equipped with Bluetooth may for example transmit Wi-Fi access tokento the user communication device 120. For wired connections, checking-inmay unlock network connection ports available at the hot-desking stationor workspace 102, for example by the FlipTop cable management system.Network connection may also be provided based on user permissions. Forexample, guest users may only be allowed limited access to a guestnetwork, whereas properly authentication employees may be allowed fullaccess to the corporate network. Once reservation has expired, or theuser checks-out, power and network availability may be turned off.

The hot-desking station or workspace 102 may further be equipped with atelephone 124 which may be activated by the hot-desking portal 108 uponuser check-in at the hot-desk panel 122. According to an embodiment, thetelephone 124 may run a communication application (such as Microsoft®Teams). Proper authentication of the user may automatically log the userinto the user account via the communication application run on thetelephone 124. Particularly, the hot-desking portal 108 may transmituser login credentials to the telephone 124 associated with the hot-deskpanel 122. As such, the user may receive incoming calls directly at thechecked-in hot-desking station or workspace 102. After the completion ofthe reservation period, the user may be logged out of the telephone 124.Alternatively, the user may use hot-desk panel 122 to check out sooner.

According to another embodiment, the user check-in may also allow andtrigger an automatic pairing of the user's devices with the equipment atthe hot-desking portal or workspace 102 based on the user's permissionsstored at the hot-desking portal 108 or at the user database 112. Forexample, the user may bring and utilize the user's own Bluetooth headsetthat may be automatically paired with the telephone 124 by automaticallytriggering a Bluetooth handshake. According to an embodiment, thehot-desking portal 108 may maintain pairing information for the user'sheadset. That information may be passed from the hot-desking portal 108to the telephone 124 upon successful authentication. The telephone 124may then automatically pair to the headset. Pairing informationexchanged between the devices may be maintained by the telephone 124 andheadset while the user is checked-in at the hot-desk panel 122. However,when the reservation is terminated, or the user checks-out, the headsetis unpaired from the telephone 124 and pairing information is erasedfrom the telephone 124 and the headset.

FIGS. 4A-4C show another example of a hot-desk panel 400 according toanother embodiment. The panel 400 may be a free-standing product adaptedto be placed on a surface area such as a desk. Alternatively, the panelmay be permanently affixed to, or removably attached to, a desk, such asusing a desk mounting bracket or by being recessed into a cavity formedin the desk. The panel 400 may include a wireless power charger 202,such as an induction charger, that includes a wireless powertransmitter. The wireless power charger 402 may transmit power via theimplementation of the Qi wireless charging standard. The panel 400 mayinclude a charging area 405 upon which the user may place the usercommunication device 102 for charging, such as a circular plate-likesurface area 405. The panel 400 may be connected to a power supply toreceive power via a power port 407. According to one embodiment, thepanel 400 may be connected to an AC outlet via an external power supplyor an AC adapter that converts AC to DC. For example, the power port 407may include a barrel power connector, as is known in the art.Alternatively, an AC adapter may be integrated within the station unit.According to another embodiment, the panel 400 may include a power overEthernet (POE) port 407 adapted to receive power via Ethernet cabling.The power supply provides power to the panel 400 components, includingthe wireless power charger 402, and thereby provides power to the usercommunication device 120 to charge the device.

The panel 400 may further comprise a display screen 403 adapted todisplay data to the user. The display screen 403 may include an LCDscreen, an LED screen, or other type of screen known in the art. Thedisplay screen 403 may further comprise a touch screen capable ofreceiving user input. Alternatively, or in combination with, adjacentbuttons may also be utilized for user input. According to an embodiment,the display screen 403 may be positioned over and centered within thecharging area 405 as shown in FIG. 4.

Alternatively, a hot-desk panel 500 includes a display screen 503 thatmay be positioned in proximity to a charging area 505 as shown in FIG.5.

Referring back to FIG.4, the panel 400 further comprises a status bar404 for status indication. The status bar 404 may include one or morelight sources, such as LEDs, and a light diffuser for diffusing light.For example, status bar 404 may include an external ring as shown inFIG. 2 for circular form factor.

The panel 400 may include a wired power charging port 406, such as an

USB, USB-C, mini-USB, micro-USB, or similar ports known in the art. Usercommunication devices 120 without wireless power receiving capabilitiesmay be connected to the wired power charging port 406 for receivingpower from the panel 400. Also, a user may simultaneously use thewireless charger 402 to charge a smartphone and the wired power chargingport 406 to charge a laptop or other devices. The panel 400 may furthercomprise a processor, a memory, and a communication interface thereinfor communication with the hot-desking portal 108 over the communicationnetwork 106. Also, the panel 400 may include a POE port adapted toreceive both power and data. Further, the panel 400 may include awireless interface, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, or similar interfacefor wireless communication with the user communication device 120.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view, and FIGS. 7A-7B show front and sideviews, respectively, of a hot-desk panel 600 according to yet anotherembodiment. The hot-desk panel 600 may include a rectangular uprightstation body 610 connected to an adjustable stand 608 such that the bodymay swivel to different upright positions with respect to the stand 608.The hot-desk panel 600 may include a seat 611 on which the usercommunication device 120 may rest. The hot-desk panel 600 may includesubstantially the same components as the panel 400, including a wirelesspower charger 602 adapted to charge a user communication device 120placed on a charging area 605, a wired power charging port 606, adisplay screen 603, a status bar 604, and a power supply port 607.According to an embodiment, the status bar 604 is located at a top endof the station body 610 and is adapted to provide a substantially 360°view.

According to a further embodiment, a hot-desk panel may be integratedwithin a telephone 800, as FIG. 8 shows. The telephone 800 may include adisplay screen 803 adapted to display the dynamic 2D code to allow theuser to check-in or reserve a workspace via the telephone 800 insubstantially the same manner as described herein. The telephone 800 mayalso be equipped with a wireless power charger 802 containing a chargingarea to provide power to the user communication device 120 in the mannerdiscussed above. A wired power charging port 806 may also be providedfor charging a user communication device 120. The telephone 800 may alsocontain a status light indicator 804 that functions in the mannerdiscussed above.

According to further embodiments, checking-in or reserving using ahot-desk panel 122 may trigger the hot-desking portal 108 to cause abuilding control system to change environmental settings at thehot-desking station or workspace 102. Using the reservation application,or another application or a web browser, a user may input personalpreferences, including, but not limited to, lighting conditions,temperature settings, shading settings, volume settings, or the like.These personal preferences may be stored at the hot-desking portal 108or at the user database 112 in association with the user identificationinformation. Upon checking in, the hot-desking portal 108 maycommunicate these settings or preferences to the building controlsystem. The building control system may determine which control orcontrollable electronic devices are associated with the reservedhot-desking station or workspace 102 and change the settings of suchdevices based on the received user preferences. Accordingly, theenvironmental settings of the hot-desking station or workspace 102 maybe adjusted based on preferred working environment of the user.

While the present embodiments were discussed with reference to aworkspace, hot-desking may be implemented in other types ofenvironments, including, but not limited to, residential spaces, hotels,education facilities, or the like, for other uses.

For example, in a hotel environment, the hot-desking stations 102 may beprovided in different locations throughout the hotel, enabling a userwho has booked a hotel room to also have power access, network access,and control of preferred environmental settings, or the like. Thehot-desk panel 122 and the telephone 124 (or integrated station 800) mayfurther be located within the hotel room to provide phone services,network access, power access, and control of preferred environmentalsettings within the hotel room. Checking-in may allow different guestpermissions, for example, different phone communications levels based onthe communication services purchased by the hotel guest, includingmaking calls only within the hotel, making outside calls, or makingdistance calls.

The hot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600 or the integrated station 800may also be used in residential applications besides working from homeenvironments. For example, the station 600 may be used at a user'sbedside to provide phone charging as well as to display information viathe screen 603. The unit may be freestanding and the user may lean theuser communication device 120 against the charging surface 605 of thewireless power charger 602. The display 603 may display the date and thetime of day as well as the user's schedule. The hot-desk panel 122, 400,500 or 600 or the integrated station 800 may integrate with aresidential building control system 106 to transmit and receivecommands, such as with Crestron Home control system for home automation.According to an embodiment, the station 600 may detect that a phone 102is present on the charger and change environmental setting of the roombased on the presence of the phone 102. According to another embodiment,the station 600 may identify whether a building control application isrunning on the phone 102 or identify the user identity, for example viaBluetooth or NFC or similar pairing, and trigger the residential controlsystem to change environmental settings based on the user's preferences.For example, if located at bedside, where a phone is typically placedbefore going to sleep, the environmental settings may change to eveningpreferences, such as dimming of the lights, turning on relaxing music,turning down the heat, or the like.

FIGS. 9-26 illustrate the actions and the messages exchanged within thevarious portals and systems of the hot-desking system 100 according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the messages exchanged within an embodimentof the hot-desking system 100 when setting up a user of the hot-deskingsystem. More specifically, information pertaining to a user may beentered via the admin portal 110 into the user database 112.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the messages exchanged within an embodimentof the hot-desking system 100 when a user logs in using a hot-deskingapp stored in the user's personal communications device 120.

The hot-desking portal 108 then accesses the user data base 112 andlooks up whether the received user login and password is stored in theuser data base 112 as a valid login and password. If the login andpassword are found in the data base 112 and are valid, then thehot-desking portal 108 logs in the user. The hot-desking portal 108 thentransmits a message over the one or more networks 106 to the hot-deskingapp running on the user's personal communications device 120 indicatingthat user has been authenticated.

Alternatively, if the login and password are not found in the user database 112 or are stored in the user data base 112 but not as a validlogin and password, then then the hot-desking portal 108 does not log inthe user. The hot-desking portal 108 then transmits a message over theone or more networks 106 to the hot-desking app running on the user'spersonal communications device 120 indicating that user has not beenauthenticated and user access is denied.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the messages exchanged within an embodimentof the hot-desking system 100 when a user reserves a hot-desk orworkspace 102 using the hot-desking app stored in the user's personalcommunications device 120.

First, if not already open, the user opens the hot-desking app stored inthe user's personal communications device 120. Depending on the securityrequirements of a given hot-desking portal 108, the user may be requiredto log in, as described in FIG. 10, each time the hot-desking app isopened or accessed. Alternatively, the user may only need to log intothe hot-desking portal 108 the first time the hot-desking app is openedor accessed.

Next, using the hot-desking app, the user enters a request to reserve adesk. The user may then be required to enter the time and date desired.The user may also be required to enter information indicating thepreferred location of the desk. Depending on the options available tothe user, such location information may be as specific as a given deskor desks within a particular area of a specific building or adjacent toa particular group of other users. As an example, an employee thatgenerally works in a particular building may make such a specificlocation request. Alternatively, the location specified may be asgeneral as a particular city, state and/or country. For example, a usermay make such a request in conjunction with travel to particular city,state and/or country.

The user may also be required to enter information indicating theamenities needed, such as the type of display needed, whether a laptopis needed or being provided by the user, the type of telephone needed,whether a printer is needed and the kind needed. For example, someone ina design position may require a display and printer better suited forgraphics, whereas an employee doing more clerical type work may haveother work needs.

Alternatively, some or all of the above information may be held in auser profile stored in one or more of the hot-desking app on the user'spersonal communications device 120, the, and the user data base 110,thereby reducing or the amount of information that need be entered inconjunction with the reservation request. Additionally, informationregarding the user's job and position may be stored in one or more ofthe hot-desking app on the user's personal communications device 120,the hot-desking portal 108, and the user data base 110, so that theinformation associated with the type of work done in that position isalso used in the reservation request.

After the user initiates the request for a hot-desk or workspace, thehot-desking app on the user's personal communications device 120 thentransmits the request over the one or more networks 106, together withany of the information described above, to the hot-desking portal 108.The hot-desking portal 108 then accesses the user data base 110, usingsome or all of the received request information to verify that the userhas permission to use a hot-desk or workspace at the requested locationas well as whether the user has permission to use the particularfacilities and amenities requested.

In response to the hot-desking portal 108 verifying the user's request,the hot-desking portal 108 then searches for an available hot-desk orworkspace. Depending on the user's request, the hot-desking portal 108may search for a hot-desk or workspace that is currently available atthe requested location or a hot-desk or workspace that will be availableat the requested location at a requested date and time.

Upon locating an available desk, the hot-desking portal 108 thentransmits, over the one or more networks 106 to the hot-desking app onthe user's personal communications device 120, information providingdetails of the reserved hot-desk or workspace. Such information mayinclude the desk, cubicle, or room number, and the location, floor andneighboring workers or facilities within the building. For more remotereservations, the information may include the building address as wellas the city, state, and/or country where the building is located.Moreover, a map showing location within the building of the reservedhot-desk or workspace may be provided and/or a map showing the locationof the building where the reserved hot-desk or workspace is located.Other information may include the facilities and amenities associatedwith the reserved desk, such as the type of display needed, whether alaptop is needed or being provided by the user, the type of telephoneneeded, whether a printer is needed and the kind needed.

In conjunction with the hot-desking portal 108 verifying the userrequest and locating a hot-desk or workspace 102, as described above,the hot-desking portal 108 also reserves that hot-desk or workspace 102for the user for the prescribed period. The hot-desking portal 108 alsoactivates and configures the reserved hot-desk or workspace 102. Suchactivation may include activating one or more features, inputs, outputs,and/or ports of the docking station 104 depending on the facilities tobe made available to the user. For example, the hot-desking portal 108may control the docking station 104 to provide power to one or moremonitors, printers, and/or other peripherals to the user depending onthe requirements of the particular user. The hot-desking portal 108 mayalso as control the docking station 104 to provide data connections toone or more physical networks, HDMI ports, and USB ports may be madeavailable to the user depending on the requirements of the particularuser. Alternatively, the hot-desking portal 108 may control the dockingstation 104 to disable particular power and/or data ports to denyspecific devices or data connections to the user.

Alternatively, the hot-desking portal 108 activates and configures thereserved hot-desk or workspace 102 upon the user checking in.

Additionally, in conjunction with the hot-desking portal 108 verifyingthe user request and locating a hot-desk or workspace 102, thehot-desking portal 108 may also activate the hot-desk panel 122, 400,500 or 600 of the hot-desk or workspace 102 or the display 803 of thetelephone 800 of the hot-desk or workspace 102, or may change anexisting display on the panel to reflect that the hot-desk or workspace102 has been reserved. The hot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600 of thehot-desk or workspace 102 or the display 803 of the telephone 800 of thehot-desk or workspace 102 may also provide messages indicating that thehot-desk or workspace 102 has been booked, is clean, dirty, occupied oravailable. The hot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600 of the hot-desk orworkspace 102 or the display 803 of the telephone 800 of the hot-desk orworkspace 102 may also display the location of the hot-desk or workspace102, the time of day, and/or the users who have reserved that hot-deskor workspace 102 together with the time and/or day booked.

The hot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600 or the display 803 of thetelephone 800 also displays a 2D code 230 in conjunction with thehot-desking portal 108 booking that hot-desk or workspace 102. The 2Dcode may be generated for a particular hot-desk or workspace 102, may begenerated for a particular hot-desk or workspace 102 for a given date ortime, or may be newly generated each time a hot-desk or workspace 102 isbooked.

Also, in conjunction with the hot-desking portal 108 verifying the userrequest and locating a hot-desk or workspace 102, the hot-desking portal108 may also change the color of the LED indicator light 226, 404, 504604 of the hot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600 and/or the LED indicatorlight 804 the telephone 800 to reflect the change of status of thehot-desk or workspace 102. For example, different colors may correspondto whether that hot-desk or workspace 102 has been booked, is clean,dirty, occupied or available.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the messages exchanged within an embodimentof the hot-desking system 100 when a user checks in at the reservedhot-desk or workspace 102 using the hot-desking app stored in the user'spersonal communications device 120.

First, if not already open, the user opens the hot-desking app stored inthe user's personal communications device 120. Depending on the securityrequirements of a given hot-desking portal 108, the user may be requiredto log in, as described in FIG. 10, each time the hot-desking app isopened or accessed.

Alternatively, the user may only need to log into the hot-desking portal108 the first time the hot-desking app is opened or accessed.

Next, using the QR reader app on the user's personal communicationdevice 120, the user scans the 2D code on the display of the hot-deskpanel. The hot-desking app stored in the user's personal communicationsdevice 120 then transmits a check in request, together with the scanned2D code data, over the one or more networks 106 to the hot-deskingportal 108.

The hot-desking portal 108 may then access the user data base 110, usingsome or all of the received request information to again verify theuser, and in response to the user being validated, locate thereservation using the 2D code data and check in the user. Alternatively,the hot-desking portal 108, after receiving the check in request and thescanned 2D code data, simply locates the reservation using the 2D codedata and checks in the user without again verifying the user using thedata base 110.

The hot-desking portal 108 may then change the message on the display ofthe hot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600 or on the display 803 of thetelephone 800 and/or the color of the LED indicator light 226, 404, 504,604, or 804, to show that the user has checked in. The hot-deskingportal 108 may also send such confirmation to the hot-desking app storedin the user's personal communications device 120.

The hot-desking portal 108, in response to the user checking in, mayalso access the user data base 110, to obtain one or more unifiedcommunications (UC) user profiles of the user to enable the user tocarry out various communications functions such as audio, web, and/orvideo conferencing, instant messaging, and the like.

Additionally, in response to the user checking in, the hot-deskingportal 108 may deliver a personalized message to the user, such as on adesktop or laptop display, on the display of the telephone of thehot-desking station or workspace, or on the hot-desk panel of thehot-desking station or workspace.

FIG. 13 shows an example of the messages exchanged within an embodimentof the hot-desking system 100 when a user checks out from at thehot-desk or workspace 102 using the hot-desking app stored in the user'spersonal communications device 120.

First, using the hot-desking app stored in the user's personalcommunications device 120, the user enters a check out request that istransmitted over the one or more networks 106 to the hot-desking portal108.

The hot-desking portal 108 then deactivates the hot-desk or workspace102. Such deactivation may include deactivating one or more features,inputs, outputs, and/or ports of the docking station 104 depending onthe facilities to be made available to the user. For example, power forone or more monitors, printers, and other peripherals, as well asconnections to one or more physical networks, HDMI ports, and USB portsmay be removed.

The hot-desking portal 108 may then also change the display on thehot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600 or the display 803 of the telephone800 to indicate that the hot-desk or workspace 102 is no longer booked.Instead, the display on the hot-desk panel may now indicate that thehot-desk or workspace 102 is now to be cleaned. Similarly, thehot-desking portal 108 may also change the color of the LED indicatorlight 226, 404, 504, 604, or 804 indicate that the hot-desk or workspace102 is no longer booked and requires cleaning.

The hot-desking portal 108 may then also generate a report based on themost recent booking of the hot-desk or workspace 102. Alternatively, thehot-desking portal 108 may generate a cumulative report for apredetermined number of or date range of recent bookings for that thehot-desk or workspace 102. As a further alternative, the hot-deskingportal 108 generate a cumulative report for some or all of the hot-desksor workspaces associated with that hot-desking portal 108.

The reports generated by the hot-desking portal 108 may include suchinformation as how often each hot-desk or workspace 102 is booked andthe features and amenities used, the number of reservations that wereactually used versus the number booked, the number of no shows andwhether certain users are consistent no shows, the usage associated bylocation within a building or company, the usage associated with aparticular group or department, etc. The hot-desking portal 108 may alsogenerate other utilization metrics and reports to provide feedback as tohow to best utilize the hot-desks or workspaces.

FIG. 14 shows an example of the messages exchanged within an embodimentof the hot-desking system 100 when a user logs in using the hot-deskpanel 122, 400, 500 or 600 of the hot-desk or workspace 102.

The user first uses soft keys shown on the display of the hot-desk panel122, 400, 500 or 600, or may use one or more hard keys located on thehot-desk panel, to request to log in. The hot-desk panel then displays alogin page requesting entry of a user login and password. The user thenenters the user's login and password into the hot-desk panel using adisplayed soft keyboard. The entered user login and password is thenread by the hot-desking portal 108.

The hot-desking portal 108 then accesses the user data base 112 andlooks up whether the received user login and password is stored in theuser data base 112 as a valid login and password. If the login andpassword are found in the data base 112 and are valid, then thehot-desking portal 108 logs in the user. The hot-desking portal 108 thendisplay a message on the hot-desk panel indicating that user has beenauthenticated.

Alternatively, if the login and password are not found in the user database 112 or are stored in the user data base 112 but not as a validlogin and password, then then the hot-desking portal 108 does not log inthe user. The hot-desking portal 108 then controls the hot-desk panel toindicate that user has not been authenticated and user access is denied.

FIG. 15 shows an example of the messages exchanged within an embodimentof the hot-desking system 100 when a user reserves a hot-desk orworkspace 102 using the hot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600 of thehot-desk or workspace 102.

First, the user enters a request to reserve a desk. The user may then berequired to enter the time and date desired. The user may also berequired to enter information indicating the preferred location of thedesk. Depending on the options available to the user, such locationinformation may be as specific as a given desk or desks within aparticular area of a specific building or adjacent to a particular groupof other users. As an example, an employee that generally works in aparticular building may make such a specific location request.Alternatively, the location specified may be as general as a particularcity, state and/or country. For example, a user may make such a requestin conjunction with travel to particular city, state and/or country.

The user may also be required to enter information indicating theamenities needed, such as the type of display needed, whether a laptopis needed or being provided by the user, the type of telephone needed,whether a printer is needed and the kind needed. For example, someone ina design position may require a display and printer better suited forgraphics, whereas an employee doing more clerical type work may haveother work needs.

Alternatively, some or all of the above information may be held in auser profile stored in the hot-desking portal 108 or in the user database 110, thereby reducing or the amount of information that need beentered in conjunction with the reservation request. Additionally,information regarding the user's job and position may be stored in thehot-desking portal 108 and/or the user data base 110, so that theinformation associated with the type of work done in that position isalso used in the reservation request.

After the user initiates the request for a hot-desk or workspace, thehot-desking portal 108 then accesses the user data base 110, using someor all of the received request information to verify that the user haspermission to use a hot-desk or workspace at the requested location aswell as whether the user has permission to use the particular facilitiesand amenities requested.

In response to the hot-desking portal 108 verifying the user's request,the hot-desking portal 108 then searches for an available hot-desk orworkspace. Depending on the user's request, the hot-desking portal 108may search for a hot-desk or workspace that is currently available atthe requested location or a hot-desk or workspace that will be availableat the requested location at a requested date and time.

Upon locating an available desk, the hot-desking portal 108 thendisplays information providing details of the reserved hot-desk orworkspace on the hot-desk panel if the reserved hot-desk or workspace isnot the one currently in use. Such information may include the desk,cubicle, or room number, and the location, floor and neighboring workersor facilities within the building. For more remote reservations, theinformation may include the building address as well as the city, state,and/or country where the building is located. Moreover, a map showinglocation within the building of the reserved hot-desk or workspace maybe provided and/or a map showing the location of the building where thereserved hot-desk or workspace is located. Other information may includethe facilities and amenities associated with the reserved desk, such asthe type of display needed, whether a laptop is needed or being providedby the user, the type of telephone needed, whether a printer is neededand the kind needed.

In conjunction with the hot-desking portal 108 verifying the userrequest and locating a hot-desk or workspace 102, as described above,the hot-desking portal 108 also activates the hot-desk or workspace 102.Such activation may include activating one or more features, inputs,outputs, and/or ports of the docking station 104 depending on thefacilities to be made available to the user. For example, power for oneor more monitors, printers, and other peripherals, as well asconnections to one or more physical networks, HDMI ports, and USB portsmay be provided depending on the requirements of the particular user.

Additionally, in conjunction with the hot-desking portal 108 verifyingthe user request and locating a hot-desk or workspace 102, thehot-desking portal 108 may also activate the hot-desk panel 122, 400,500 or 600 of the reserved hot-desk or workspace 102 or may change anexisting display on the panel to reflect that the hot-desk or workspace102 has been reserved. The hot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600 may alsoprovide messages indicating that the hot-desk or workspace 102 has beenbooked, is clean, dirty, occupied or available. The hot-desk panel 122,400, 500 or 600 may also display the location of the hot-desk orworkspace 102, the time of day, and/or the users who have reserved thathot-desk or workspace 102 together with the time and/or day booked.

Also, in conjunction with the hot-desking portal 108 verifying the userrequest and locating a hot-desk or workspace 102, the hot-desking portal108 may also change the color of the LED indicator light 226, 404, 504,604 of the hot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600 and/or the LED indicatorlight or 804 of the telephone 800 to reflect the change of status of thehot-desk or workspace 102. For example, different colors may correspondto whether that hot-desk or workspace 102 has been booked, is clean,dirty, occupied or available.

FIG. 16 shows an example of the messages exchanged within an embodimentof the hot-desking system 100 when a user checks in at the reservedhot-desk or workspace 102 using the hot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600.

First, if not already logged in, the user logs in to the hot-desk panel122, 400, 500 or 600. Depending on the security requirements of a givenhot-desking portal 108, the user may be required to log in, as describedin FIG. 14, each time. Alternatively, the user may only need to log intothe hot-desking portal 108 the first time the hot-desk panel isaccessed.

Next, the user may enter a code previously provided to the user, enter acode sent to the user via a text message or an email message, or use anauthenticator app on the user's personal communication device 120. Thehot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600 then transmits a check in request,together with the code data, over the one or more networks 106 to thehot-desking portal 108.

The hot-desking portal 108 may then access the user data base 110, usingsome or all of the received request information to again verify theuser, and in response to the user being validated, locate thereservation using the 2D code data and check in the user. Alternatively,the hot-desking portal 108, after receiving the check in request and thescanned 2D code data, simply locates the reservation using the 2D codedata and checks in the user without again verifying the user using thedata base 110.

The hot-desking portal 108 may then change the message on the display ofthe hot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600, and/or the message on thedisplay 803 of the telephone 800, and/or the color of the LED indicatorlight 226, 404, 504, 604, or 804, to show that the user has checked in.The hot-desking portal 108 may also send such confirmation to thehot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600.

FIG. 17 shows an example of the messages exchanged within an embodimentof the hot-desking system 100 when a user checks out from at thehot-desk or workspace 102 using the hot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600.

First, using the hot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600, the user enters acheck out request that is transmitted over the one or more networks 106to the hot-desking portal 108.

The hot-desking portal 108 then deactivates the hot-desk or workspace102. Such deactivation may include deactivating one or more features,inputs, outputs, and/or ports of the docking station 104 depending onthe facilities to be made available to the user. For example, power forone or more monitors, printers, and other peripherals, as well asconnections to one or more physical networks, HDMI ports, and USB portsmay be removed.

The hot-desking portal 108 may then also change the display on thehot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600 to indicate that the hot-desk orworkspace 102 is no longer booked. Instead, the display on the hot-deskpanel may now indicate that the hot-desk or workspace 102 is now to becleaned. Similarly, the hot-desking portal 108 may also change the colorof the LED indicator light 226, 404, 504, 604, or 804 indicate that thehot-desk or workspace 102 is no longer booked and requires cleaning.

The hot-desking portal 108 may then also generate a report based on themost recent booking of the hot-desk or workspace 102. Alternatively, thehot-desking portal 108 may generate a cumulative report for apredetermined number of or date range of recent bookings for that thehot-desk or workspace 102. As a further alternative, the hot-deskingportal 108 generate a cumulative report for some or all of the hot-desksor workspaces associated with that hot-desking portal 108.

FIG. 18 shows an example of the messages exchanged within an embodimentof the hot-desking system 100 when a user logs in using the touchscreen803 of the telephone 800 of the hot-desk or workspace 102.

The user first uses soft keys shown on the touchscreen 803 of thetelephone 800, to request to log in. The touchscreen 803 then displays alogin page requesting entry of a user login and password. The user thenenters the user's login and password into the hot-desk panel using adisplayed soft keyboard. The entered user login and password is thenread by the hot-desking portal 108.

The hot-desking portal 108 then accesses the user data base 112 andlooks up whether the received user login and password is stored in theuser data base 112 as a valid login and password. If the login andpassword are found in the data base 112 and are valid, then thehot-desking portal 108 logs in the user. The hot-desking portal 108 thendisplays a message on the touchscreen 803 and/or the hot-desk panelindicating that user has been authenticated.

Alternatively, if the login and password are not found in the user database 112 or are stored in the user data base 112 but not as a validlogin and password, then the hot-desking portal 108 does not log in theuser. The hot-desking portal 108 then controls the touchscreen 803and/or the hot-desk panel to indicate that user has not beenauthenticated and user access is denied.

FIG. 19 shows an example of the messages exchanged within an embodimentof the hot-desking system 100 when a user reserves a hot-desk orworkspace 102 using the touchscreen 803 of the telephone 800 of thehot-desk or workspace 102.

First, the user enters a request to reserve that desk or another deskinto the touchscreen 803. The user may then be required to enter thetime and date desired. The user may also be required to enterinformation indicating the preferred location of the desk. Depending onthe options available to the user, such location information may be asspecific as a given desk or desks within a particular area of a specificbuilding or adjacent to a particular group of other users. As anexample, an employee that generally works in a particular building maymake such a specific location request. Alternatively, the locationspecified may be as general as a particular city, state and/or country.For example, a user may make such a request in conjunction with travelto particular city, state and/or country.

The user may also be required to enter information indicating theamenities needed, such as the type of display needed, whether a laptopis needed or being provided by the user, the type of telephone needed,whether a printer is needed and the kind needed. For example, someone ina design position may require a display and printer better suited forgraphics, whereas an employee doing more clerical type work may haveother work needs.

Alternatively, some or all of the above information may be held in auser profile stored in the hot-desking portal 108 or in the user database 110, thereby reducing or the amount of information that need beentered in conjunction with the reservation request. Additionally,information regarding the user's job and position may be stored in thehot-desking portal 108 and/or the user data base 110, so that theinformation associated with the type of work done in that position isalso used in the reservation request.

After the user initiates the request for a hot-desk or workspace, thehot-desking portal 108 then accesses the user data base 110, using someor all of the received request information to verify that the user haspermission to use a hot-desk or workspace at the requested location aswell as whether the user has permission to use the particular facilitiesand amenities requested.

In response to the hot-desking portal 108 verifying the user's request,the hot-desking portal 108 then searches for an available hot-desk orworkspace. Depending on the user's request, the hot-desking portal 108may search for a hot-desk or workspace that is currently available atthe requested location or a hot-desk or workspace that will be availableat the requested location at a requested date and time.

Upon locating an available desk, the hot-desking portal 108 thendisplays information providing details of the reserved hot-desk orworkspace on the hot-desk panel if the reserved hot-desk or workspace isnot the one currently in use. Such information may include the desk,cubicle, or room number, and the location, floor and neighboring workersor facilities within the building. For more remote reservations, theinformation may include the building address as well as the city, state,and/or country where the building is located. Moreover, a map showinglocation within the building of the reserved hot-desk or workspace maybe provided and/or a map showing the location of the building where thereserved hot-desk or workspace is located. Other information may includethe facilities and amenities associated with the reserved desk, such asthe type of display needed, whether a laptop is needed or being providedby the user, the type of telephone needed, whether a printer is neededand the kind needed.

In conjunction with the hot-desking portal 108 verifying the userrequest and locating a hot-desk or workspace 102, as described above,the hot-desking portal 108 also activates the hot-desk or workspace 102.Such activation may include activating one or more features, inputs,outputs, and/or ports of the docking station 104 depending on thefacilities to be made available to the user. For example, power for oneor more monitors, printers, and other peripherals, as well asconnections to one or more physical networks, HDMI ports, and USB portsmay be provided depending on the requirements of the particular user.

Additionally, in conjunction with the hot-desking portal 108 verifyingthe user request and locating a hot-desk or workspace 102, thehot-desking portal 108 may also activate the hot-desk panel 122, 400,500 or 600 and the telephone 800 of the reserved hot-desk or workspace102, or may change an existing display on the panel or touchscreen toreflect that the hot-desk or workspace 102 has been reserved. Thehot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600 and/or the touchscreen 803 of thetelephone 800 may also provide messages indicating that the hot-desk orworkspace 102 has been booked, is clean, dirty, occupied or available.The hot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600 and/or the touchscreen 803 ofthe telephone 800 may also display the location of the hot-desk orworkspace 102, the time of day, and/or the users who have reserved thathot-desk or workspace 102 together with the time and/or day booked.

Also, in conjunction with the hot-desking portal 108 verifying the userrequest and locating a hot-desk or workspace 102, the hot-desking portal108 may also change the color of the LED indicator light 226, 404, 504,604 of the hot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600 and/or the LED indicatorlight 804 of the telephone 800 to reflect the change of status of thehot-desk or workspace 102. For example, different colors may correspondto whether that hot-desk or workspace 102 has been booked, is clean,dirty, occupied or available.

FIG. 20 shows an example of the messages exchanged within an embodimentof the hot-desking system 100 when a user checks in at the reservedhot-desk or workspace 102 using the touchscreen 803 of the telephone800.

First, if not already logged in, the user logs in using the touchscreen803 of the telephone 800. Depending on the security requirements of agiven hot-desking portal 108, the user may be required to log in, asdescribed in FIG. 18, each time. Alternatively, the user may only needto log into the hot-desking portal 108 the first time the hot-desk panelis accessed.

Next, the user may enter a code previously provided to the user, enter acode sent to the user via a text message or an email message, or use anauthenticator app on the user's personal communication device 120. Thetelephone 800 then transmits a check in request, together with the codedata, over the one or more networks 106 to the hot-desking portal 108.

The hot-desking portal 108 may then access the user data base 110, usingsome or all of the received request information to again verify theuser, and in response to the user being validated, locate thereservation using the code data and check in the user. Alternatively,the hot-desking portal 108, after receiving the check in request and thecode data, simply locates the reservation using the code data and checksin the user without again verifying the user using the data base 110.

The hot-desking portal 108 may then change the message on the display ofthe hot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600, and/or the message on thedisplay 803 of the telephone 800, and/or the color of the LED indicatorlight 226, 404, 504, 604, or 804, to show that the user has checked in.

FIG. 21 shows an example of the messages exchanged within an embodimentof the hot-desking system 100 when a user checks out from the hot-deskor workspace 102 using the touchscreen 803 of the telephone 800.

First, using the touchscreen 803 of the telephone 800, the user enters acheck out request that is transmitted over the one or more networks 106to the hot-desking portal 108.

The hot-desking portal 108 then deactivates the hot-desk or workspace102. Such deactivation may include deactivating one or more features,inputs, outputs, and/or ports of the docking station 104 depending onthe facilities to be made available to the user. For example, power forone or more monitors, printers, and other peripherals, as well asconnections to one or more physical networks, HDMI ports, and USB portsmay be removed.

The hot-desking portal 108 may then also change the display on thehot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600 and/or on the touchscreen 803 of thetelephone 800 to indicate that the hot-desk or workspace 102 is nolonger booked. Instead, the display on the hot-desk panel may nowindicate that the hot-desk or workspace 102 is now to be cleaned.Similarly, the hot-desking portal 108 may also change the color of theLED indicator light 226, 404, 504, 604, or 804 indicate that thehot-desk or workspace 102 is no longer booked and requires cleaning.

The hot-desking portal 108 may then also generate a report based on themost recent booking of the hot-desk or workspace 102. Alternatively, thehot-desking portal 108 may generate a cumulative report for apredetermined number of or date range of recent bookings for that thehot-desk or workspace 102. As a further alternative, the hot-deskingportal 108 generate a cumulative report for some or all of the hot-desksor workspaces associated with that hot-desking portal 108.

FIG. 22 shows an example of the messages exchanged within an embodimentof the hot-desking system 100 when a user directly communicates with thehot-desking portal 108 to log in to the hot-desking portal 108. The usermay then directly reserve a hot-desk or workspace 102, check in to areserved hot-desk or workspace 102, and/or check out from a hot-desk orworkspace 102.

First, opens a browser or app on the personal communication device 120or on a laptop or other device. The user then opens a browser page to aURL for accessing the hot-desking portal 108. The hot-desking portal 108then displays a login page on the browser requesting entry of a userlogin and password. The user then enters the user's login and passwordinto the hot-desking app on the user's personal communications device.The entered user login and password is then transmitted over the one ormore networks 106 to the hot-desking portal 108.

The hot-desking portal 108 then accesses the user data base 112 andlooks up whether the received user login and password is stored in theuser data base 112 as a valid login and password. If the login andpassword are found in the data base 112 and are valid, then thehot-desking portal 108 logs in the user. The hot-desking portal 108 thentransmits a message over the one or more networks 106 to the browser orapp indicating that user has been authenticated.

Alternatively, if the login and password are not found in the user database 112 or are stored in the user data base 112 but not as a validlogin and password, then the hot-desking portal 108 does not log in theuser. The hot-desking portal 108 then transmits a message over the oneor more networks 106 to the browser or app to indicate that user has notbeen authenticated and user access is denied.

FIG. 23 shows an example of the messages exchanged within an embodimentof the hot-desking system 100 when a user reserves a hot-desk orworkspace 102 directly from the hot-desking portal 108.

First, depending on the security requirements of a given hot-deskingportal 108, the user may be required to log in, as described in FIG. 22,each time the hot-desking app is opened or accessed. Alternatively, theuser may only need to log into the hot-desking portal 108 the first timethe hot-desking app is opened or accessed.

Next, the user enters a request to reserve that desk or another deskinto the user's browser or app. The user may then be required to enterthe time and date desired. The user may also be required to enterinformation indicating the preferred location of the desk. Depending onthe options available to the user, such location information may be asspecific as a given desk or desks within a particular area of a specificbuilding or adjacent to a particular group of other users. As anexample, an employee that generally works in a particular building maymake such a specific location request. Alternatively, the locationspecified may be as general as a particular city, state and/or country.For example, a user may make such a request in conjunction with travelto particular city, state and/or country.

The user may also be required to enter information indicating theamenities needed, such as the type of display needed, whether a laptopis needed or being provided by the user, the type of telephone needed,whether a printer is needed and the kind needed. For example, someone ina design position may require a display and printer better suited forgraphics, whereas an employee doing more clerical type work may haveother work needs.

Alternatively, some or all of the above information may be held in auser profile stored in the hot-desking portal 108 or in the user database 110, thereby reducing or the amount of information that need beentered in conjunction with the reservation request. Additionally,information regarding the user's job and position may be stored in thehot-desking portal 108 and/or the user data base 110, so that theinformation associated with the type of work done in that position isalso used in the reservation request.

After the user initiates the request for a hot-desk or workspace, thehot-desking portal 108 then accesses the user data base 110, using someor all of the received request information to verify that the user haspermission to use a hot-desk or workspace at the requested location aswell as whether the user has permission to use the particular facilitiesand amenities requested.

In response to the hot-desking portal 108 verifying the user's request,the hot-desking portal 108 then searches for an available hot-desk orworkspace. Depending on the user's request, the hot-desking portal 108may search for a hot-desk or workspace that is currently available atthe requested location or a hot-desk or workspace that will be availableat the requested location at a requested date and time.

Upon locating an available desk, the hot-desking portal 108 thendisplays information providing details of the reserved hot-desk orworkspace on the user's browser or app. Such information may include thedesk, cubicle, or room number, and the location, floor and neighboringworkers or facilities within the building. For more remote reservations,the information may include the building address as well as the city,state, and/or country where the building is located. Moreover, a mapshowing location within the building of the reserved hot-desk orworkspace may be provided and/or a map showing the location of thebuilding where the reserved hot-desk or workspace is located. Otherinformation may include the facilities and amenities associated with thereserved desk, such as the type of display needed, whether a laptop isneeded or being provided by the user, the type of telephone needed,whether a printer is needed and the kind needed.

In conjunction with the hot-desking portal 108 verifying the userrequest and locating a hot-desk or workspace 102, as described above,the hot-desking portal 108 also activates the hot-desk or workspace 102.Such activation may include activating one or more features, inputs,outputs, and/or ports of the docking station 104 depending on thefacilities to be made available to the user. For example, power for oneor more monitors, printers, and other peripherals, as well asconnections to one or more physical networks, HDMI ports, and USB portsmay be provided depending on the requirements of the particular user.

Additionally, in conjunction with the hot-desking portal 108 verifyingthe user request and locating a hot-desk or workspace 102, thehot-desking portal 108 may also activate the hot-desk panel 122, 400,500 or 600 and the telephone 800 of the reserved hot-desk or workspace102, or may change an existing display on the panel or touchscreen toreflect that the hot-desk or workspace 102 has been reserved. Thehot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600 and/or the touchscreen 803 of thetelephone 800 may also provide messages indicating that the hot-desk orworkspace 102 has been booked, is clean, dirty, occupied or available.The hot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600 and/or the touchscreen 803 ofthe telephone 800 may also display the location of the hot-desk orworkspace 102, the time of day, and/or the users who have reserved thathot-desk or workspace 102 together with the time and/or day booked.

Also, in conjunction with the hot-desking portal 108 verifying the userrequest and locating a hot-desk or workspace 102, the hot-desking portal108 may also change the color of the LED indicator light 226, 404, 504,604 of the hot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600 and/or the LED indicatorlight 804 of the telephone 800 to reflect the change of status of thehot-desk or workspace 102. For example, different colors may correspondto whether that hot-desk or workspace 102 has been booked, is clean,dirty, occupied or available.

FIG. 24 shows an example of the messages exchanged within an embodimentof the hot-desking system 100 when a user checks in at the reservedhot-desk or workspace 102 by directly communicating with the hot-deskingportal 108.

First, if not already logged in, the user logs in to the hot-deskingportal 108 using the hot-desking portal web page on the user's browseror app. Depending on the security requirements of a given hot-deskingportal 108, the user may be required to log in, as described in FIG. 22,each time. Alternatively, the user may only need to log into thehot-desking portal 108 the first time the hot-desk panel is accessed.

Next, the user may enter a code previously provided to the user, enter acode sent to the user via a text message or an email message, or use anauthenticator app on the user's personal communication device 120. Thetelephone 800 then transmits a check in request, together with the codedata, over the one or more networks 106 to the hot-desking portal 108.

The hot-desking portal 108 may then access the user data base 110, usingsome or all of the received request information to again verify theuser, and in response to the user being validated, locate thereservation using the code data and check in the user. Alternatively,the hot-desking portal 108, after receiving the check in request and thecode data, simply locates the reservation using the code data and checksin the user without again verifying the user using the data base 110.

The hot-desking portal 108 then transmits a message over the one or morenetworks 106 indicating that the user has checked in. The hot-deskingportal 108 may then change the message on the display of the hot-deskpanel 122, 400, 500 or 600, and/or the message on the display 803 of thetelephone 800, and/or the color of the LED indicator light 226, 404,504, 604, or 804, to show that the user has checked in.

FIG. 25 shows an example of the messages exchanged within an embodimentof the hot-desking system 100 when a user checks out from the hot-deskor workspace 102 by directly communicating with the hot-desking portal108.

First, if not already logged in, the user logs in to the hot-deskingportal 108 using the hot-desking portal web page on the user's browseror app. Depending on the security requirements of a given hot-deskingportal 108, the user may be required to log in each time. Then, the userenters a check out request into the user's browser or app that istransmitted over the one or more networks 106 to the hot-desking portal108.

The hot-desking portal 108 then deactivates the hot-desk or workspace102. Such deactivation may include deactivating one or more features,inputs, outputs, and/or ports of the docking station 104 depending onthe facilities to be made available to the user. For example, power forone or more monitors, printers, and other peripherals, as well asconnections to one or more physical networks, HDMI ports, and USB portsmay be removed.

The hot-desking portal 108 may then also change the display on thehot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600 and/or on the touchscreen 803 of thetelephone 800 to indicate that the hot-desk or workspace 102 is nolonger booked. Instead, the display on the hot-desk panel may nowindicate that the hot-desk or workspace 102 is now to be cleaned.Similarly, the hot-desking portal 108 may also change the color of theLED indicator light 226, 404, 504, 604, or 804 indicate that thehot-desk or workspace 102 is no longer booked and requires cleaning.

The hot-desking portal 108 may then also generate a report based on themost recent booking of the hot-desk or workspace 102. Alternatively, thehot-desking portal 108 may generate a cumulative report for apredetermined number of or date range of recent bookings for that thehot-desk or workspace 102. As a further alternative, the hot-deskingportal 108 generate a cumulative report for some or all of the hot-desksor workspaces associated with that hot-desking portal 108.

Though FIGS. 10-13 show examples of a user logging in, reserving ahot-desk or workspace, checking in to the hot-desk or workspace, andchecking out from the hot-desk or workspace, each using a hot-deskingapp stored in the user's personal communications device 120, the userneed not carry out all of these operations solely with the hot-deskingapp. Likewise, though FIGS. 14-17 show examples of a user logging in,reserving a hot-desk or workspace, checking in to the hot-desk orworkspace, and checking out from the hot-desk or workspace, each usingthe hot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600 of the hot-desk or workspace,the user need not carry out all of these operations solely using thehot-desk panel. Further, though FIGS. 18-21 show examples of a userlogging in, reserving a hot-desk or workspace, checking in to thehot-desk or workspace, and checking out from the hot-desk or workspace,each using the touchscreen 803 of the telephone 800 of the hot-desk orworkspace 102, the user need not carry out all of these operationssolely using the touchscreen of the telephone. Moreover, though FIGS.22-25 show examples of a user logging in, reserving a hot-desk orworkspace, checking in to the hot-desk or workspace, and checking outfrom the hot-desk or workspace, each directly using the hot-desk portal,the user need not carry out all of these operations solely by directlyusing the hot-desk portal. Rather, the user may perform one or more ofthese operations using the hot-desking app, perform one or more of theseoperations using the hot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600, perform one ormore of these operations using the touchscreen of the telephone, and/orperform one or more of these operations directly using the hot-deskportal. For example, the user may log in and reserve the hot-desk orworkspace using the hot-desking app, then check in using the display ofthe hot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600 of the hot-desk or workspace,and thereafter check out using the using the touchscreen 803 of thetelephone 800 of the hot-desk or workspace 102. Likewise, the user maylog in to the hot-desk portal and reserve the hot-desk or workspaceusing the hot-desk portal, then check in by scanning the 2D codedisplayed on the hot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600, then check outusing the display of the hot-desk panel 122, 400, 500 or 600. Similarly,other combinations thereof are also within the scope of the embodiment.

FIG. 26 shows an example of the messages exchanged within an embodimentof the hot-desking system 100 when the time reserved at the hot-desk orworkspace 102 end before the user may check out from the hot-desk orworkspace 102 as shown in FIG. 13, 17, 21 or 25.

First, the hot-desking portal 108 changes the display on the hot-deskpanel 122, 400, 500 or 600 and/or on the touchscreen 803 of thetelephone 800 to indicate that period reserved by the user has ended.Also, the display on the hot-desk panel may now indicate that thehot-desk or workspace 102 is now to be cleaned. Similarly, thehot-desking portal 108 may also change the color of the LED indicatorlight 226, 404, 504, 604, or 804 indicate that the hot-desk or workspace102 is no longer booked and requires cleaning. The hot-desking portal108 also transmits a message over the one or more networks 106 to theuser indicating that reservation period has ended. The message may besent to the app running on the user's personal communications device120, as a text message, and/or as an email message.

The hot-desking portal 108 then deactivates the hot-desk or workspace102. Such deactivation may include deactivating one or more features,inputs, outputs, and/or ports of the docking station 104 depending onthe facilities to be made available to the user. For example, power forone or more monitors, printers, and other peripherals, as well asconnections to one or more physical networks, HDMI ports, and USB portsmay be removed.

The hot-desking portal 108 may then also generate a report based on themost recent booking of the hot-desk or workspace 102. Alternatively, thehot-desking portal 108 may generate a cumulative report for apredetermined number of or date range of recent bookings for that thehot-desk or workspace 102. As a further alternative, the hot-deskingportal 108 generate a cumulative report for some or all of the hot-desksor workspaces associated with that hot-desking portal 108.

FIG. 27 shows an example of the messages exchanged within an embodimentof a smart locker system, similar to the hot-desking system 100, when auser is assigned a smart locker. Such smart lockers are known in the artfor automating package delivery, notification and distribution.

More specifically, information pertaining to a user may be entered viathe admin portal 110 into the user database 112.

FIG. 28 shows an example of the messages exchanged within an embodimentof a smart locker system when a user logs in using an app stored in theuser's personal communications device.

The user first launches a hot-desking app stored in the user's personalcommunications device, such as a smart phone, which then opens a browserpage to a URL for accessing a smart locker portal. The smart lockerportal then displays a login page requesting entry of a user login andpassword. The user then enters the user's login and password into thehot-desking app on the user's personal communications device. Theentered user login and password is then transmitted over the one or morenetworks 106 to the smart locker portal 108.

The smart locker portal then accesses the user data base 112 and looksup whether the received user login and password is stored in the userdata base 112 as a valid login and password. If the login and passwordare found in the data base 112 and are valid, then the hot-deskingportal 108 logs in the user. The smart locker portal then transmits amessage over the one or more networks 106 to the smart locker apprunning on the user's personal communications device 120 indicating thatuser has been authenticated.

Alternatively, if the login and password are not found in the user database 112 or are stored in the user data base 112 but not as a validlogin and password, then then the smart locker portal does not log inthe user. The smart locker portal then transmits a message over the oneor more networks 106 to the smart locker app running on the user'spersonal communications device 120 indicating that user has not beenauthenticated and user access is denied.

FIG. 29 shows an example of the messages exchanged within an embodimentof the smart locker system when a user checks in at their smart lockerusing the smart locker app stored in the user's personal communicationsdevice 120.

First, if not already open, the user opens the smart locker app storedin the user's personal communications device 120. Depending on thesecurity requirements of a given smart locker portal, the user may berequired to log in, as described in FIG. 28, each time the smart lockerapp is opened or accessed. Alternatively, the user may only need to loginto the smart locker portal the first time the smart locker app isopened or accessed.

Next, using the QR reader app on the user's personal communicationdevice 120, the user scans a 2D code on a display of a smart lockerpanel. The smart locker app stored in the user's personal communicationsdevice 120 then transmits a check in request, together with the scanned2D code data, over the one or more networks 106 to the smart lockerportal 08.

The smart locker portal may then access the user data base 110, usingsome or all of the received request information to again verify theuser, and in response to the user being validated, locate thereservation using the 2D code data and check in the user. Alternatively,the smart locker portal, after receiving the check in request and thescanned 2D code data, simply locates the reservation using the 2D codedata and checks in the user without again verifying the user using thedata base 110.

The smart locker portal may then change the message displayed on thesmart locker panel to show that the user has checked in. smart lockerportal may also send such confirmation to the smart locker app stored inthe user's personal communications device 120.

After the user has checked in, the smart locker portal then enablesaccess to the smart locker, such as by transmitting a signal over theone or more networks 106 to the smart locker that instructs the smartlocker to pen so the used may access the contents stored therein.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

To solve the aforementioned problems, the present embodiments aredirected towards a hot-desking system, and more specifically to systems,methods, and modes for providing a hot-desking station. It should beunderstood that this description is not intended to limit theembodiments. On the contrary, the embodiments are intended to coveralternatives, modifications, and equivalents, which are included in thespirit and scope of the embodiments as defined by the appended claims.Further, in the detailed description of the embodiments, numerousspecific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understandingof the claimed embodiments. However, one skilled in the art wouldunderstand that various embodiments may be practiced without suchspecific details.

Although the features and elements of aspects of the embodiments aredescribed as being in particular combinations, each feature or elementmay be used alone, without the other features and elements of theembodiments, or in various combinations with or without other featuresand elements disclosed herein.

This written description uses examples of the subject matter disclosedto enable any person skilled in the art to practice the same, includingmaking and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporatedmethods. The patentable scope of the subject matter is defined by theclaims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled inthe art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of theclaims.

The above-described embodiments are intended to be illustrative in allrespects, rather than restrictive, of the embodiments. Thus, theembodiments are capable of many variations in detailed implementationthat may be derived from the description contained herein by a personskilled in the art. No element, act, or instruction used in thedescription of the present application should be construed as criticalor essential to the embodiments unless explicitly described as such.Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or moreitems.

In addition, the above disclosed methods are not meant to limit theaspects of the embodiments, or to suggest that the aspects of theembodiments should be implemented following the aforementioned methods.The purpose of the aforementioned methods is to facilitate theunderstanding of one or more aspects of the embodiments and to providethe reader with one or many possible implementations of the processeddiscussed herein. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art that the steps of the aforementioned methods may be performed ina different order and that some steps may be eliminated or substituted.

All United States patents and applications, foreign patents, andpublications discussed above are hereby incorporated herein by referencein their entireties.

Alternate Embodiments

Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spiritor the scope of the embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hot-desking system, comprising: (a) at leastone hot-desking station, including (1) at least one hot-desking stationdevice, and (2) a hot-desk panel configured to display informationregarding status of the hot-desking station and to display atwo-dimensional barcode (2D code) associated with the hot-deskingstation; (b) at least one docking station associated with the at leastone hot-desking station, including (1) a plurality of input and outputports, at least one of the plurality of input and output ports beingconnected to the at least one hot-desking station device; and (c) ahot-desking portal configured to control operation of and configurationof the at least one hot-desking station, the at least one dockingstation, and the at least one hot-desk panel of the at least onehot-desking station, the hot-desking portal being further configured to(1) receive, from a user device over at least one communication network,a request to reserve the at least one hot-desking station for apredetermined period, and identification information associated with theuser, (2) communicate, over the at least one communication network, witha user database to verify the identification information associated withthe user, (3) reserve the at least one hot-desking station for the userfor the predetermined period in response to the identificationinformation associated with the user being verified, (4) transmit, tothe user device over the at least one communication network, anindication that the identification information associated with the userwas verified and information describing a location and features of thereserved least one hot-desking station, (5) receive, from the userdevice over the at least one communication network, scanned data read bythe user device from the 2D code displayed by the hot-desk panel, and(6) in response to receiving the scanned data, check in the user intothe at least one hot-desking station, and activate and configure the atleast one docking station.
 2. The hot-desking system of claim 1, wherein(a) the information regarding status of the hot-desking station includesinformation on times when the hot-desking station is available forbooking.
 3. The hot-desking system of claim 1, wherein (a) thehot-desking portal generates the 2D code for display by the hot-deskpanel in response to the hot-desking station being reserved.
 4. Thehot-desking system of claim 1, wherein (a) the hot-desking portal turnson and configures the devices of the at least one hot-desking stationbased on information associated with the user.
 5. The hot-desking systemof claim 4, wherein (a) the information associated with the user isstored in at least one of the user device, the hot-desking portal or thedata base.
 6. The hot-desking system of claim 1, further comprising (a)an admin portal configured to access the database and to carry outaddition, deletion, or modification of data associated with the userthat is stored in the database.
 7. The hot-desking system of claim 1,wherein (a) the plurality of input and output ports of the at least onedocking station includes at least one of data ports or power ports. 8.The hot-desking system of claim 1, wherein (a) the at least onehot-desking station device comprises at least one of a personal computeror a telephone.
 9. The hot-desking system of claim 1, wherein (a) thehot-desk panel includes a status indicator light having a colorcorresponding to the status of the hot-desking station.
 10. Thehot-desking system of claim 1, wherein (a) the 2D code includes at leastone of a QR code or a matrix barcode.
 11. A method of reserving andchecking into a hot-desking station, the method comprising: (a)receiving, at a hot-desking portal configured to control operation ofand configuration of (i) at least one hot-desking station, (ii) at leastone docking station associated with the at least one hot-deskingstation, and (iii) at least one hot-desking station device associatedwith the at least one hot-desking station, a request from a user deviceover at least one communication network to reserve the hot-deskingstation for a predetermined period, the request including identificationinformation associated with the user; (b) communicating, by thehot-desking portal over the at least one communication network, with auser database to verify the identification information associated withthe user, (c) reserving, at the hot-desking portal, the hot-deskingstation for the user for the predetermined period in response to theidentification information associated with the user being verified; (d)transmitting, from the hot-desking portal to the user device over the atleast one communication network, (1) an indication that theidentification information associated with the user was verified, and(2) information describing a location and features of the reservedhot-desking station; (e) receiving, by the hot-desking portal over theat least one communication network, scanned data transmitted by the userdevice, the scanned data being read by the user device from atwo-dimensional barcode (2D code) displayed at a hot-desk panelassociated with the at least one hot-desking station; and (f) inresponse to receiving the scanned data, the hot-desking portal checkingin the user to the hot-desking station and activating and configuringthe at least one docking station associated with the at least onehot-desking station based on information associated with the reservationrequest.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising (a) receiving,by the hot-desking portal over the at least one communication network, arequest from the user device to check out from the hot-desking station.13. The method of claim 11, further comprising (a) transmitting, by thehot-desking portal over the at least one communication network,notification to the user device that the predetermined period has ended.14. The method of claim 11, wherein (a) the information regarding statusof the hot-desking station includes information on times when thehot-desking station is available for booking.
 15. The method of claim11, further comprising (a) generating, by the hot-desking portal, the 2Dcode for display at the hot-desk panel in response to the hot-deskingstation being reserved.
 16. The method of claim 11, further comprising(a) turning on and configuring devices of the at least one hot-deskingstation, by the hot-desking portal, based on at information associatedwith the user.
 17. The method of claim 11, further comprising (a)accessing, by the hot-desking portal, a database to carry out addition,deletion, or modification of data associated with the user that isstored in the database.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein (a) the atleast one hot-desking station device includes at least one of a personalcomputer or a telephone.
 19. The method of claim 11, wherein (a) the 2Dcode includes at least one of a QR code or a matrix barcode.
 20. Ahot-desking system, comprising: (a) a plurality of hot-desking stations,each including (1) at least one hot-desking station device, and (2) ahot-desk panel configured to display information regarding status ofthat hot-desking station, and to display a two-dimensional barcode (2Dcode) associated with that hot-desking station, the informationregarding status of the hot-desking station including information ontimes when the hot-desking station is available for booking, the 2D codeincluding at least one of a QR code or a matrix barcode; (b) a pluralityof docking stations respectively associated with the plurality ofhot-desking stations, each including (1) a plurality of input and outputports, at least one of the plurality of input and output ports beingconnected to the at least one hot-desking station device of itsassociated hot-desking station, the plurality of input and output portsincluding at least one of data ports or power ports; (c) a hot-deskingportal configured to control operation of and configuration of theplurality of hot-desking stations, the plurality of docking stations,and the hot-desk panel of each of the plurality of hot-desking stations,the hot-desking portal being further configured to (1) receive, from auser device over at least one communication network, a request toreserve one of the plurality of hot-desking stations for a predeterminedperiod, and identification information associated with the user, (2)communicate, over the at least one communication network, with a userdatabase to verify the identification information associated with theuser, (3) reserve a given one of the plurality of hot-desking stationsfor the user for the predetermined period in response to theidentification information associated with the user being verified, (4)transmit, to the user device over the at least one communicationnetwork, an indication that the identification information associatedwith the user was verified and information describing a location andfeatures of the reserved hot-desking station, (5) receive, from the userdevice over the at least one communication network, scanned data read bythe user device from the 2D code displayed by the hot-desk panel of thereserved hot-desking station, the 2D code being generated by thehot-desking portal in response to that hot-desking station beingreserved, and (6) in response to receiving the scanned data, check inthe user to the one of the plurality of hot-desking stations and turn onand configure the at least one device of the reserved hot-deskingstation; and (d) an admin portal configured to access the database andto enable addition, deletion, or modification of data associated withthe user.